Match-box.



)HARLES R. REEVE, OF INDEX, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO MARTIN J. REEVE, OF MORRIS, NEW YORK.

MATCH-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 728,131, dated May 12, 1903. Application filed February 14, 1903. Serial No. 143,375. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES R. REEVE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Index, in the county of Otsego and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to match-boxes, the

object in view being to provide, in connection with a match box or safe, a simple device by means of which the matches may be forced outward through an opening in the box one at a time, rendering it unnecessary to open the lid of the box and disturb the other matches contained therein. The mechanism for ejecting the matches one ata time comprises a spring-retracted follower, which is manipulated by the operator for the purpose of ejecting a single match, the follower upon being released by the operator being automatically restored to its initial and normal position.

With the above and other objects in view, the nature of which will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is;

a perspective view of a match-box construct ed in accordance with the present inventionlooking toward the top or lid end thereof. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the opposite side and end of the box and illustrating the match-ejecting mechanism indotted lines. Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the box looking toward the bottom end thereof and showing the follower and its controlling-spring. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the combined guide and gutter. perspective view of the follower and its handle or finger-piece.

Like reference-numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawlugs. V

The match-box is shown for convenience as composed of a sheet-metal body 1, which is substantially elliptical in cross-section and made of the proper size to be carried in the vest-pocket. The bottom end of the box is permanently closed by a plate 2, which is Fig. 5 is a detail roughened on its outer surface, as shown in Fig. 2, to forma scratch-surface. The oppositeend of-the box comprises a plate or wall 3, which'clo'ses permanently one portion of that end of the box, the remainder being closed normally by means of a lid 4, which is hinged at 5 to the wall or plate 3 and pro- .vided with a suitable catch 6 to hold the lid closed and prevent the same from opening accidentally.

, Within the box is arranged a combined guide and gutter 7, the main body of which is substantially semicircular in cross-section,

the said gutter-being provided with oppositely-extending flanges 8, which incline upwardly toward the outer edges, said edges being received in grooves or beneath ribs or projections 9 on the inner surface and at opposite sides of the body of the box. ating the follower hereinafter described the box is held with the gutter side downward, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, thereby causing the matches to gravitate to the bottom of the gutter, the concaved portion of which is of a size adapting it to hold but a single match at a time.

At the bottom end of the box audwithin the same is arranged a follower l0 substantially in the form ofa half-disk, the same be- -in'g provided at one side with a handle 11 sufficiently long to extend laterally across one of the flanges 7 or 8 of the gutter and through a slot 12, extending lengthwise of the box, as shown in Fig. 1.

The follower is supported and controlled by a spring 13,having one end thereof recurved and terminally fastened at 14 to the inside of the box, while the opposite end of said spring is connected permanently to the follower 10 9o and serves to hold said follower at the extreme rear end of the combined guide and gutter 7 and also to return said follower to that end of the gutter after it is released by the operator. In line with the gutter 7 the matchbox is provided at the top with anopening 15 of sufficient size to allow a match ',.;to .pass therethrough, and said opening is normally closed by means of a hinged flap or cover 16,

the hinge of which is so arranged that it may be pushed away from the opening 15 when a match is forced outwardly or projected be- In oper- 7c yond the end of the box to be grasped and withdrawn by the operator. Upon releasing the handle or finger-piece 11 the spring 13 retracts the follower to the rear end of the combined guide and gutter.

It will thus be seen that the matches may be ejected from the box one at a time Without disturbing the other matches remaining therein, and this may be repeated until the last match has been ejected from the box. The ejecting mechanism is simple and not liable to get out of order, and the box will be found very convenient in use.

Having thus described the invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A match-box comprising a body closed at one end and provided with a lid at the opposite end, a combined guide and gutter arranged at one side of the box and within the same, one end of the box being provided with a small match-discharge openingin line with said gutter, a cover hinged adjacent to said opening so as to swing laterally, a follower located within the box at the opposite end of the gutter, a followercontrolling spring extending across the inside of the match-box and having one end recurved and terminally secured to the inside of the box, the opposite end of the spring being permanently connected to the follower and serving to hold the follower against the bottom of the box, and a ban dle or finger-piece extending laterally from the follower through a slot extending lengthwise of the body of the box, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES R. REEVE.

Vitnesses:

L. N. WOOD, LJP. PIER. 

